Timothy West reads the second volume of Simon Schama's compelling chronicle of the British Isles.
The British wars began on the morning of 23 July 1637, heralding 200 years of battles. Most were driven by religious or political conviction, as Republicans and Royalists, Catholics and Protestants, Tories and Whigs, and colonialists and natives vied for supremacy. Of the battles not fought on home territory, many took place across Europe, America, India, and also at sea.
Schama's examination of this turbulent period reveals how the British people eventually united in imperial enterprise, forming 'Britannia Incorporated'. The story of that change evokes the memory of such enduringly influential people as Oliver Cromwell, as well as lesser known but equally extraordinary individuals. A story of revolution and reaction, progress and catastrophe, this is a vivid account of two centuries which changed Britain.
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"The connections between the past and the present are so strong, it's hard to watch the news and not see some thread to its history. It's said that those who don't remember the past are doomed to repeat it ... I'm not sure that remembering it is enough to get you off the hook." — Kathy (4 out of 5 stars)
"The connections between the past and the present are so strong, it's hard to watch the news and not see some thread to its history. It's said that those who don't remember the past are doomed to repeat it ... I'm not sure that remembering it is enough to get you off the hook."
" This continues the history of Britain up through the wars with the French and the American Revolution. Not much new, but a nice refresher with a perspective that is always fun to read. "
" a reasonable continuation of the first volume. not as well done, sadly. if anything in this volume is excellent it is the display of the evil of monarchy. "
" Better than the first, if read in order, since you can make out the intent of the author through his odd writing style that blends narrative withfact, humor and opinion without explanation. "
" I first saw the series on dvd. The books are way more detailed (of course). He is a dramatic historian. "
" I read both books in this series. This one dragged a bit during the Commonwealth era. "
" Excellent. Schama in top form, much better than volume 1 and refreshingly disrespectful of dogma "
" Great. But then, Schama is always great. "
" Beautifully put together, if a little bit episodic. Great colour photos and very well written "
" Too dense. I enjoyed volume one, but this was just too boring. First history book I have abandoned before completing "
" This is why I don't listen to abridged audiobooks. Schama is clearly an intelligent guy with and interesting story to tell but it jumps around and lacks coherence. "
" Volume II of an excellent history of Great Britain. "
Simon Schama is a professor of art history and history at Columbia University and is the author of numerous award-winning books; his history Rough Crossings won the National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction. He has been a cultural essayist for the New Yorker and has written and presented more than thirty documentaries for the BBC, PBS, and the History Channel, including The Power of Art, which won the 2007 International Emmy for Best Arts Programming.
Stephen Thorne trained at RADA and played several seasons with the Old Vic Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford and London. He has worked extensively in radio, with over two thousand broadcasts for the BBC, including Uncle Mort in the Radio 4 comedy series and the part of Treebeard in The Lord of the Rings. His television work includes EastEnders, Boys from the Bush, Death of an Expert Witness, and David Copperfield.
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